Once again I have to thank austinjak0 for his work as my beta.
Since people are still a little confused on when this all takes place, this chapter and the previous ones take place three years before the first season of Young Justice. This is also the last chapter before the time skip hence why it is so big. This is the last bit of Naruto's training and his first mission.
Finally, you will see elements of the GLTAS on this fic if you haven't already but this is still primarily in the YJ universe. Now enough of my rambling I know what you are here for. So on with the show!
Chapter 7: Actually Does Socialize
(Oa's Medical Facility)
"Hold still Kilowog! I haven't finished examining you yet!" ordered Soranik Natu using a construct of what appeared to be a micro x-ray device to scan Kilowog's mid section.
Kilowog just grumbled and glared with his deep red eyes in annoyance but did as she said.
Soranik Natu was a veteran Green Lantern from the same homeworld as former Green Lantern now turned enemy Sinestro. At first she saw the ring as a curse just as the rest of her people do. After all Sinestro had used his power to make himself a dictator and practically enslave Korugar to his perverse version of order.
But in truth it was only the icing on the cake. She was already receiving hateful stares for being his daughter, although her mother was remained still a mystery. However, as she began her training and learning about the Corps she realized what a gift it was to be chosen. With it she could help even more people. The ring had allowed her to cure illness and disease that would have been otherwise impossible for the standard medical equipment on Korugar.
Unfortunately, her people didn't see it that way. Soon after she returned to her homeworld after she became a fully fledged lantern she was faced with ridicule and fear. It came to a boiling point for her when she used a ring to do an operation on a patient on her own without any help. If she hadn't used it the patient would have died.
Which lead her to being disbarred from practicing medicine on Korugar, which she had decided to quit in the first place. Combine that with the fact that they had forced her out of her apartment and Natu had had enough and left Korugar. She still returned there every once and a while to help as per her duty to her sector but has not set foot on it since.
When she wasn't on patrol she was in charge of all things medical on Oa, mostly alone since there were rarely anyone inducted with her level of expertise on medicine. If there was something large scale then she would have assistants with any kind of medical knowledge help her, but for the most part she handled it alone.
"Are you finished yet?" asked Kilowog getting impatient.
"Nope." said Natu making her construct disappear and replacing it with another device. "Honestly I'm surprised that whatever that rookie hit you with didn't kill you."
"Why do you say that?" said Kilowog annoyed that she seemed to think him weak or something. He then winced at the device she used emitted an energy beam that passed through him. He could feel it start to mend the damage in his midsection.
"Whatever he hit you with didn't stop at the surface. The attack he used seemed to grind all the way through, attacking the organs." she said. "So yes you are lucky that you are so tough Kilowog."
"And he was holding back." said Kilowog wincing from the repair's Natu's construct was doing.
"You seem certain about that." she said albeit a tad surprised at his statement.
"You weren't there Natu. I hit the kid with everything I had and he still came back for more. Hell my punches, the ones I managed to land, didn't seem to really take effect. On top of that he fought like a demon. I've never seen anyone close to his level of martial art skill save for Laira. If he wanted me dead you would be examining a corpse right now." said Kilowog.
From the tone in his voice Natu knew he was being serious about that statement. Still she couldn't believe that a rookie managed to beat up Kilowog as badly as this Naruto Uzumaki had managed to do. Aside from the major wound to the abdomen, Kilowog has at least two broken ribs and third one that was cracked, both of his arms' rotator cuffs were nearly popped from when he nearly torn Kilowog's arms off. All of these however were superficial and she managed to heal them easily enough. It was the injury to his abdomen that was taking the longest.
"If that's true then maybe you shouldn't make him mad again." said Natu with a small smile on her face. Kilowog just grumbled under his breath. Finally, the energy beam from the construct dissipated as Natu disengaged it.
"There. I've managed to repair any damage to your internal organs that you suffered. I am, however, requesting that you take some medical leave. You still can train recruits but that's as far as it goes." The doctor ordered.
"How long?" grumbled Kilowog not liking that news.
"Just for a week. It would have been longer if Naruto had been less merciful." Natu responded with a smirk.
Kilowog glared at the medic but said nothing as he stepped off the table. He still felt sore but better than he was when he came in.
"I have to say though, from what the database has shown about these Ajnians I may request to visit their world." said Natu.
"Why?" said Kilowog.
"Well from what I have seen so far not only do they have interesting fighting abilities but from what I understand they have advances in medicine and treatment that are fascinating." said Natu with giddiness in her voice.
Kilowog rolled his eyes and decided since she was done he would make his exit. "Well if that's all I'm headed out." he said walking out the door.
"Remember what I said. No sparring or fighting until I say you're fully recovered!" She called out as he left her room.
Kilowog breathed a sigh of relief at finally getting out of there. He held his stomach and still felt a little sore, which made Kilowog start thinking about his current situation. He knew he could train the other three easily enough but Naruto it seemed needed some specialized training. Sure he could give him the basics but if his spar with the cadet showed him anything, it was that Naruto already had a more than decent grasp on them.
After all the report was that Naruto already had a handle on the ring given he used a bubble to force himself out of John's construct and knew enough to create a weapon construct.
No. Kilowog knew that Naruto needed someone who could give him some one-on-one training, something he couldn't do. Suddenly, he found himself smiling, raised his ring hand, and made a call.
(Dining Hall)
Naruto had just sat down in a table with his fellow recruits looking down at his tray of food with one thought in his mind.
'Still should have insisted on trying to get ramen.' he grumbled internally looking down at his tray.
'Would you shut up about the damn ramen! Look at this plate here and tell me that steak doesn't look appetizing.' Kurama responded which Naruto could hear him drooling over it. Naruto looked again at his food and had to admit that it did look and smell delicious.
Greet, the cook in charge, figured out that Ajnian and Human digestive systems were the same so he was a little grumpy when it came to Naruto. After all he still had trouble with human food for some reason. So he gave to Naruto the same as he would Hal, John, and one other who he didn't name but kept saying how he kept complaining about Greet's ineffective cooking ability. Naruto wisely kept his mouth shut as his tray was filled with prime rib steak, corn, and roasted potatoes. The concept of Silverware was a bit different from what he was used to though, as it included a fork, spoon, and cutting knife of which Naruto, thankfully had rudimentary knowledge from the Earth database.
Deciding to just shrug it off he took the fork and knife, practically stabbed the steak with the fork and cut a slice before putting it in his mouth. Naruto immediately liked what he was chewing as he tasted the flavors of the meat.
'See not so bad after all. Keeping your mom's promise isn't as hard as you though it was going to be.' said Kurama. Rather than give him the satisfaction of being right Naruto just went on enjoying his meal.
As he did so he looked around to his fellow recruits. Looking around he saw that Arisia was the only who ate anything that looked like human food with some kind of curry.
It wasn't the only thing that he noticed. He saw the veteran Lanterns that entered the Hall looking at their table. More specifically looking at him directly.
"News of you kicking Kilowog's ass must have spread like wildfire." said Galius as he looked at the faces that glanced or stared his way.
"Well us helping him to the infirmary definitely got their attention." said Arisia remembering that it was her and Galius that had to carry him to the infirmary because the pain in his torso was making it hard for Kilowog to concentrate.
"Yeah but how did they know which one of us did the deed?" asked Naruto as he chewed on another piece of steak.
They all looked to B'dg as he was chewing on what looked like a large nut. He stopped chewing when he saw them looking at him and gulped.
"Okay I admit I may have talked to a couple people who asked about what happened." he said sheepishly.
Looking at him with those big eyes it was hard to be mad at the little guy. So Naruto just shrugged his shoulders.
"It's okay B'dg. Something tells me it was going to happen sooner or later." he said.
"These things usually do I guess." said Arisia. B'dg just breathed a sigh of relief that his new friends weren't going to be mad at him.
They soon went back to eating their meals. Naruto had just about finished when he looked up to see that one of those veteran Lanterns started approaching their table. The same one he had a kunai to his throat when they first met.
The other recruits immediately started to rise from their seats but John used his hands to dismiss their movement.
"At ease." said said the veteran Lantern who then turned his attention to Naruto. "Naruto when you're finished I like to have a word with you. Alone if you please."
The others turned to Naruto as he was chewing up his corn having finished the steak. He swallowed then looked at him.
"Sure." he said simply. John nodded and returned to his table.
"What was that about?" question Arisia.
"I have a guess." said Naruto. He put his spoon down on his tray, grabbed it and then put it into a dispensing bin which vaporized the remaining food and sent it to be cleaned.
Naruto then walked out of the dining hall. John seeing this did the same as Naruto and then followed.
"You think Naruto is going two for two?" spoke Galius. The others glared at him. "What?" he questioned.
Outside the hall Naruto saw the sun on Oa beginning to set. Among the things he like since he started his brief stay on Oa was that pretty much everywhere you went could get a pretty much a good view on just about anything on the planet. It was like the planet itself wanted people to know it was a jewel in the universe.
Hearing the door close he turned around knowing who it was that came out.
"Something on your mind Stewart?" Naruto questioned.
"Look," said John rubbing the back of his neck. "You and I got off to a bad foot. I'll admit I was a presumptuous. But the way you punched that guy back on your home world I thought you used the ring."
"I didn't hit him that hard he's still alive. And that guy's name is Kakashi and he was my sensei for a long time." explained Naruto.
"If he was your teacher then why did you punch him?" asked John.
"It...was a personal dispute that you saw the end of." said Naruto immediately feeling the returning guilt he had felt after punching him.
They stood in silence for a moment with Naruto glancing down before John spoke up again.
"Look let's try this again." he then held his hand up. "My name is John Stewart. Green Lantern of Sector 2814."
Naruto looked at his hand for a moment before taking it and shaking it. "Naruto Uzumaki. Green Lantern recruit of Sector 2813."
"Not a recruit much longer from what I hear." said John with a smile on his face as they let their hands go.
Naruto just rolled his eyes. "I didn't think B'dg talking to a few people would garner that much attention." he said.
"Wasn't just his word. People noticed Arisia and Galius carrying him. Little guy only told them who did it." said John. He then turned serious and grim. " By the way Kilowog happens to be one of the toughest and most distinguished Lanterns we have. He's trained most of the Corps including me."
Instead of cowing to John's stare Naruto stood his ground although he had to admit that he went too far using the Rasengan on Kilowog, even though it was instinctual at the time.
"Look I'm sorry if I hurt him. But in hindsight-"
"He also," John interrupted. "Can be an asshole sometimes. He has been in need of a beat down for years." he finished with a smile on his face.
Naruto was surprised at that. He took John for one of those by the book types. Glad to know there was some humor in the man.
"In that case I am happy to be the one to administer it." said Naruto with a smile of his own. John then looked to the sky and saw that it was nearly night time.
"Well I won't keep you any longer. Get some sleep. That run in with Kilowog was just the beginning. Tomorrow is when you start to use this." he gestured turning his right hand, his ring hand, into a fist to show him.
Naruto nodded. John did the same, slapped him on the shoulder and flew off. The others caught up to him and flew back to their quarters together with them trying nonstop to get him to talk about his encounter with John Stewart.
(Naruto's room, 2200 Oa Time)
Naruto sat on his bed once again, this time staring at his right hand. He had transformed out of his uniform and was once again in his orange outfit. Either not able to sleep or worse trying not to.
'Kid. This recent pattern of you not going to sleep until the wee hours of the night and close to morning is getting tiresome.' Naruto chose not to respond as Kurama noticed his attention was still on his hand. 'Would you at least tell me what is so fascinating about your hand, aside from the Green Lantern ring, so that you can go to sleep?'
'Sorry. It just...I can't help but notice that I've been able to use a Rasengan without a clone.' thought Naruto as he looked at his hand. From the time with their fight with Obito, to his fight with Sasuke, and now Kilowog, Naruto had managed to use the Rasengan without needing a Shadow Clone to help him. What irked him was he just now noticed.
'Well you probably didn't notice because you were in the middle of a fight at the time.' The fox explained. Naruto nodded in agreement. He concentrated his chakra as he usually did when readying the jutsu. And just like that, a Rasengan appeared in his hand.
'But why now?' he thought to himself.
'Answer's obvious boy. Your main issue up til now was chakra control. But thanks to my chakra and yours being fused that problem is now nonexistent.' Kurama explained. 'I know how unobservant you can be, but seriously, how could you not notice?'
'Been a little preoccupied in case you haven't noticed.' Naruto responded after making the Rasengan in his hand recede and disappear.
'Fair enough.' Kurama conceded. With everything that has happened with the war, Sakura and Sasuke's death, and being chosen by the ring it was no wonder that Naruto had not noticed.
This did however bring something else to mind.
'I still need to train with my jutsu' he then reached for the wind scroll but-' Kurama stopped him.
'A lot of those jutsu on wind require a lot of space. Unless you want people to know more about your abilities, Kami knows why you keep them hidden in the first place, then we need somewhere more secluded.' Kurama explained.
Naruto rolled up the scroll in frustration. He knew Kurama was right. Problem was where on Oa that was secluded from the Guardians sight?
A planet this size and with so many Lanterns it only made sense that they would keep track of its members and who and what goes on at the home base.
'Let's table this for now and try and get some sleep Naruto. Focus on training with the ring. The rest will follow.' said Kurama.
Naruto nodded and put himself into the covers of the bed.
'Yeah. I wonder if this what that place on Earth is like.'
'What place?' asked Kurama.
'College.' Naruto responded while slowly going to sleep.
'Maybe.' the fox replied.
And with that the young ninja fell to sleep.
(Training Platform)
Naruto and the rest of the recruits were waiting on the training platform. They had just finished breakfast when their rings had informed them to arrive at the training platform.
While waiting they noticed there were five practice dummies.
"Anyone want to venture a guess as to why we were summoned here?" asked B'dg.
Before anyone could answer Kilowog came flying down and landed with a boom. While Naruto could tell that he was in much better condition than the last time they saw him, he did notice that Kilowog was still favoring his stomach area.
"Alright you poozers. Today we start you ring slinging training." he bellowed. "Right, the first thing we're going to do is determine how strong your willpower is." He then moved in front of one of the dummies. He then pointed his ring hand at one of them and then a blast of green energy fired from his ring and utterly destroyed the dummy in a loud explosion.
Naruto and the rest stared with wide eyes.
"Cool." said Naruto which Arisia, Galius and B'dg all nodded in agreement.
"The ring blast you just saw is the most basic attack of a Green Lantern. It is your opener and your fall back if your constructs fail you." instructed Kilowog turning back to them. "But like everything else with your ring it is only as strong as your will." he continued. "Now it's your turn poozers. Let see what you got."
The group then each moved into position in front of their dummies; Arisia, Galius, B'dg, and Naruto in order from right to left.
"Remember. Concentrate on your willpower. That's what powers your ring." Kilowog instructed. The group nodded and the practice began.
Arisia went first. She aimed her ring hand and fired an energy blast from her ring. However, the blast was weak for she panicked and thus no damage to the dummy.
Kilowog was about to speak but Naruto beat him to it.
"Remember Arisia. Concentrate. Don't be nervous." he said.
Arisia nodded. She took a deep breath that calmed her nerves before aiming again, gritting her teeth as she concentrated. She fired and she could feel the blast was stronger than the last one. When she was done she felt her hand go limp and she was breathing hard. She looked and saw the dummy heavily damaged.
"Not bad. Could use some work though but we'll get you there." said Kilowog. Arisia nodded. It was then it was Galius' turn. He did much better and managed to destroy the head of his dummy.
"Work on your aim." said Kilowog. He then motioned to B'dg. The little guy had to fly up to get the proper aim on the dummy. It paid off as he managed to destroy the entire upper body of it. It tired B'dg out though and he flew back down on the ground and seemed like he was going to keel over.
"Pretty good. Though we're gonna have to work on your endurance. Don't worry though that's normal." said Kilowog which almost sounded encouraging.
Finally, it was Naruto's turn. As he stood in front of the dummy Kurama piped in.
'Remember your own advice Kid. Concentrate on what you want to do and then will it.' he said. Naruto nodded his eyes focused on the dummy. He then aimed his ring hand. He thought was going to be nervous like Arisia was but his hand was steady. Then, as if it were natural, he fired his ring.
The blast that came from him was so strong that it encompassed the area around the dummy. When it was done and the smoke cleared the dummy was completely destroyed.
Along with a quarter of the forward area of the platform.
Naruto was in awe as he looked as his ring. The others looked between him and the area that was where the dummy was. Kilowog has his mouth on the floor in shock. He eventually shook it off and looked at the area.
"Someone here don't know his own strength." said Kilowog. He tried to make it sound like a criticism but it came out more like astonishment.
"How are you not tired from that Naruto?" asked B'dg. The question managed to shake the others out of their stupor as they noticed that Naruto was not even breathing heavy.
"I don't know." said Naruto.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side." said Galius still looking at the area Naruto fired upon.
Kilowog coughed which got everyone's attention back on him.
"Right. Next up we're gonna do barrier testing. As you saw on the desert world when Naruto here made that tornado appear I contained myself inside an energy bubble." said Kilowog. He then demonstrated by using his ring to in case himself inside the same bubble.
"Now the same rules apply with energy blasts. The stronger your willpower and the better you concentrate it the more powerful the barrier becomes." he instructed. "This is the basic use of ring barriers and shields. You can also use constructs with the same effect. This type however is used when in emergencies." he continued. After disengaging his shield he turned to Naruto's direction.
"Since you did the most damage with your dummy Naruto you will go first." said Kilowog with a smirk on his face.
Naruto rolled his eyes and nodded as he moved in front of him once again. Naruto had a feeling that Kilowog might be looking for some good natured payback for his earlier defeat.
Naruto immediately raised an energy wall between himself and Kilowog. Kilowog in turn made a hammer construct and heft it over his shoulder.
"Uh you sure you're okay to do this sir?" asked Naruto genuinely concerned as he heard Kilowog huff a bit as he hefted his hammer into striking position.
"I'm fine. Let's get started." he said. Even though he could already hear Natu's lecture coming, there was no way he would deny himself at least some satisfaction.
With a loud roar Kilowog swung his hammer at Naruto's wall with all the strength he could muster. Even in his weakened state he knew many a recruit whose barriers cracked and fell within one or two strikes from him.
Naruto's body jerked from the impact of Kilowog's hammer but he held his ground. Kilowog and the others looked at Naruto's wall.
It didn't have a scratch.
Kilowog looked at it in shock but shook his head. 'Fluke' he thought to himself. He lifted the hammer again and slammed it even harder. Again Naruto held and the again did not even have a crack on it.
Again the others had their jaws on the floor. Even Naruto himself was surprised given he could feel how much impact Kilowog was sending to him.
Huffing in frustration Kilowog battered against the wall again and again. The impact of the blows could be felt throughout the platform. B'dg instinctively climbed on Arisia being the tallest of the three of them as they once again watched in shock.
After his sixth attempt to break it Kilowog put his hammer down and was gripping his stomach as the pain in his gut started up again.
"Uh Kilowog sir. I think maybe you should stop before you hurt yourself." said Naruto disengaging his wall to get a better look at him.
"Get your wall back up poozer! I haven't finished the test yet!" bellowed Naruto. Naruto immediately did as he asked while Kilowog pulled himself together.
'Not again. Not twice in two days am I letting this rookie beat me.' Kilowog thought to himself. This had never happened to him before. Part of him was actually impressed to have a recruit with this much talent with the ring.
His pride on the other hand was more than a little wounded. However, as he lifted the hammer again to strike again, Kilowog suddenly found an energy tendril wrapped around his hammer. It was pulled from him and disintegrated.
"Kilowog. I believe that the good Doctor Natu said no undue stress while training the recruits." said a voice above them.
The all looked to see a young woman who appeared to be in her mid to late twenties touch down beside them. She was tall, about 5'8, purple skinned with fiery orange hair and elf-like ears. Her uniform consisted of what looked like a female version of samurai body armor. Black and green with leaf like shoulder pads. Its sleeves stopping short of her forearms with black gloves on. The lower half of her uniform had skin tight shorts which showed off her legs which stopped with knee high combat boots with three spikes on each side of them. Completing it was the traditional Green Lantern symbol inside the white circle.
Kilowog took a moment to collect himself before speaking.
"I got carried away. There I admit it. Happy now?" he grumbled.
"Ecstatic." The woman deadpanned. Naruto and the others were wondering who she was to command him like that.
"Attention poozers!" he ordered. They all fell in line immediately. "This is Laira, my second in command."
After the brief introduction Laira started walking up to the recruits.
"Arisia, how are you doing young one?" she asked of the young lady.
"It's been rough at first but I am adjusting." she responded.
"Good. Do not be discouraged, you will bring honor the Corps in due time." she said with a smile. Turning then to B'dg who was still on Arisia's shoulder.
"You are C'hp's replacement are you not?" she asked. B'dg immediately stood at attention on Arisia's shoulder which Naruto couldn't help but find it a little cute.
"Yes ma'am. I hope to be able to honor his memory." said the little guy.
"You will. It was your predecessor that reminded me that a Lantern can make a difference no matter their size." she said with a smile on his face. B'dg seemed to blush at that.
"And you are Galius." she said turning to him. "As you know, the Lantern who held this ring," she raised her hand to him. "Was one of your kind. Need I say more?"
Galius nodded in respect to her.
She then turned to Naruto.
"So this is the Ajnian who managed to defeat Kilowog." she said. "Tomar-Re was a trusted friend and ally to most everyone in the Corps. Wear his ring with pride." she said. Naruto nodded in acknowledgment.
"Which, from the description of your fight with Kilowog should not be a problem." she said with a smile.
"Alright that's enough with the meet and greet." said Kilowog. "Don't let her nice and respectful tone fool you poozers. She's an even tougher trainer then me. The reason you don't see her all that much is because she's usually on missions. Today is a special case."
"Indeed." Laira responded. "As Kilowog said my training methods are much tougher then my superior officers. Those I train are either some of the toughest in the Corps or they drop out."
This made them all a little afraid. She seemed so calm about it that it frightened even Naruto a bit. On the other hand some part of him was intrigued.
"Because of this I only choose a few to train. Since this group is only four of you I will only choose one." said Laira. She then walked to Naruto.
"I'll take this one from here Kilowog." she said. Arisia and the others breathed a sigh of relief despite not being all that surprised.
"Okay then Laira. Just remember to meet us at Hall of Great Service at 1330." Kilowog said. Laira nodded in response.
"Alright rookies, let's leave these two to get acquainted." Kilowog ordered. He then flew off.
Before they joined him Arisia, Galius, and B'dg turned to Naruto.
"Good luck Naruto." said Arisia.
"I have heard of Laira Omoto Naruto. She's one of the best in the Corps. You should be honored she's taken you in...although I don't envy you." said Galius.
"Thanks Galius that makes feel so much better." said Naruto sarcastically.
The big beach ball just shrugged his shoulders.
"See you at the Hall." said B'dg.
"See you there." said Naruto.
His three classmates flew off after Kilowog, leaving Laira and Naruto alone on the platform. After a moment of silence, Laira spoke.
"Are you afraid?" she asked.
"I'm sorry?" asked Naruto.
"I asked if you were afraid?" the trainer asked again. Naruto contemplated this question and decided to be honest.
"A little bit." he answered.
He thought she would be disappointed at his answer but to his surprise she just stood there with no expression.
"I can sense that. But it's not me your afraid of is it?" Naruto shook his head. "And it's not death either. What are you scared of?"
"Not being good enough to live up to Tomar-Re or any of the other Lanterns." said Naruto. Laira looked at him perplexed.
"I think you're doing fine so far. Looking at Kilowog is proof of that. But the reason I asked was to prove that you do feel fear." said Laira. Naruto looked at her feeling a little angry at her.
"But you're not a coward for feeling it." she clarified as if he could feel her anger. Seeing him calm down she continued. "We all feel fear. Anyone, Lantern or otherwise, that tells you different is a fool or to ashamed to admit it. Just because our rings choose us to because we can overcome fear does not mean we should not fear. And while you will face those who would use you're fear to defeat you your ability to overcome will be your greatest weapon. Keep this in mind at all times."
Naruto nodded in understanding. With a look that appeared to be satisfaction on her face Laira continued on with her lesson.
"Since you have already proven your fighting ability in hand to hand combat and your ability to survive we will begin with weapons training." she told him. "As with Kilowog, I feel the best way to assess your ability is through sparring." she then made a sword construct.
"Shall we begin?" she asked while getting into a stance.
Truth was Naruto was kind of hoping this would be the case. He always learned better when putting a lesson in practice then just talking about it.
Now he figured that from the database they had she knew that his people were ninjas and were skilled in battle. So he had to choose his construct carefully. Finally, he decided to go with something from his time with Asuma and formed two chakra blades into both his hands.
As he got into his own stance Laira looked at his blade constructs.
'Interesting choice. Those are not what I would expect from a shinobi.' Laira thought referencing from Earth's history and what they knew of Ajnin.
A few seconds were paused as they stared at each other waiting for one to make the first move. Finally, Naruto had enough waiting and rushed forward.
Like Kilowog, Laira was surprised on how fast he was moving. However, it didn't shake her resolve as it did him. She slashed at his head attempting to head him off. Naruto ducked under the blade however. He then spun around and sliced at her midsection. She deflected it. From there it moved with them slashing and twirling around each other, ducking then striking at each other. Green sparks lit where their blades touched.
Laira managed, somewhat, at using her weapon's range to keep Naruto at bay. Naruto however had more than one weapon in hand, not to mention the blades he used left him able to perform effective taijutsu moves. And he could close the distance easier then she liked.
She soon had the sword gripped in two hands and slashed at him with all her might. Naruto used both his blades to block the strike. From there he turned around and hit her gut with a back kick. Skidding across the ground, she held her stomach reeling from the force of the blow. Naruto didn't give her time to recover as he ran forward. She managed to get her sword up and barely managed to block the series of slashes that came her way.
After deflecting another strike she made another stab at him. Naruto jumped out of the way of the attack and landed with his back to hers. They then parted and attacked at the same time with Naruto using his right hand for the attack. The two then stood pushing against each other, Naruto having to make his left blade disappear so he could grab his right hand to apply more pressure.
As they struggled against each other Laira was trying to maintain her level head and figure out what to next. She was actually very impressed with Naruto's prowess so far. His ability at close range combat was at least on her level, perhaps better. She had a strange feeling that he was holding back. Probably because this was just sparring and not an actual fight.
'I would not want to be his enemy.' she thought to herself.
Yet she was seeing something else in Naruto eyes that had her concerned. As if, for a moment, he was here fighting not her but someone else, if the rage she saw in his eyes was any indication.
Deciding to get some distance Laira disengaged their bind, managing to kick Naruto in the face, knocking him away several feet before he rolled into a crouch.
'Kid concentrate. Keep your head here not in the past.' Kurama ordered Naruto.
'Yeah I got it I'm back.' Naruto responded shaking his head. The clash between him and Laira had caused him to begin having flash backs from his fight with Sasuke again, namely how at one point he had used one chakra blade to hold him off.
However, fighting Laira was very much different then fighting Sasuke. Like night and day. Sasuke was good but Laira was something else entirely.
Point proven when her sword transformed into a bow. Suddenly, Naruto found himself dodging arrows. He returned the favor by projecting several shuriken at her. Thanks to the ring he managed to produce them directly into his hand. Before he knew it Laira had managed to produce a shield to deflect the many ninja weapons.
She braced herself as the sound of the fifty shuriken clanged against her shield. When the assault was over there were many cracks on her shield but it had not broken. She concentrated and the cracks repaired themselves.
Naruto stood for a moment thinking on what to do next. He made a kunai construct and threw it at her shield. The crack that it made was larger than the others but again she concentrated and it repaired itself.
He stood once again thinking on his next move. He looked at Laira's condition. He could tell she was getting tired by the subtle way she was trying to catch her breath and from the slight sweat on her brow. He knew that if he kept going he could just tire her out, although he was starting to feel some of the strain from using the ring it was nowhere near her level.
'C'mon Kid. This is isn't like you to just stand there and think about your next move.' Kurama commented.
'I know Kurama. It just that everything I throw at her can't break that shield.' Naruto responded looking down at another kunai construct. Naruto though about using exploding kunai to destroy the shield but this was supposed to be a spar. Exploding kunai is something you use to kill the enemy.
'If only I could channel chakra into my constructs. I know I could breach it then.' Naruto thought as he was forced back into dodging more arrows as Laira transformed her shield construct back to a bow.
'I know except any weapon you have is made from the ring.' Kurama advised. But as he said it both he and the ninja suddenly had an idea.
'You think it would work?' Naruto asked Kurama while getting his head out of the way of an arrow.
'It's worth a try.' The fox responded.
Naruto nodded and closed his eyes, formed another kunai construct into his hand and concentrated his chakra but instead of the kunai he focused on the ring itself. The ring then glowed blue from the chakra and in turn the kunai construct glowed blue.
Behind her shield Laira looked upon the construct with curiosity, but before she had a chance to think about the change, Naruto threw it at her. She braced herself in preparation for another impact, turning her bow back into a shield.
That curiosity quickly turned to fear when instead of impacting the shield it instead sliced its way through her shield as if it was made of butter. The blade barely managed to give her a small cut across her cheek.
'How did he do that?' she thought to herself in astonishment.
She saw Naruto had a smirk on his face.
Laira grimaced and made her shield disappear. She made two sword constructs. Naruto in turn made his two chakra blades again. Again, Laira saw that the weapons had the same blue glow on them.
'You got this Kid. Finish it!' encouraged Kurama.
'Don't be too sure. She's a lot better than Kilowog was in our fight. My guess is since she knows I can get through her defenses she's going to go for an all out assault, and ideally, try to take me out with one blow.' Naruto responded in thought.
'Then I suggest you do the same. Although she's closer I believe you still have the slight edge in speed. That could be change if you just put chakra in your feet though.' Kurama responded.
'No. I already showed off my chakra manipulation. I don't want to show off more then I already have. Besides, it's not fair. If she were an enemy I wouldn't hesitate but she isn't.' Naruto responded.
'Very well just end it already!' Kurama said with a huff. Naruto just smiled and got into a stance.
The two of them stood across for a moment waiting to see who would make the first move. Just like the beginning of the match Naruto decided to charge in. What was different though was that Laira moved at him at the same time.
Laira slashed at him with her left sword hand first to try and catch him with a killing stroke. Naruto ducked under it however and at the same time slice the sword in two with his right blade. Laira however remained cool this time and dodged the blade. Strangely enough this time Laira held the broken blade.
From there they turned to each other again. Naruto at the last instant changed his blade into a kunai, flipped it into a reverse grip and attacked to where the bladed just stopped at her neck while at the same time he stabbed her stomach just short of her stomach.
Unfortunately, at the same time Laira used her sword on her right and had its blade resting on his neck. What Naruto failed to notice was that she turned her broken sword into a dagger and had it stop short of his stomach.
So they stood staring. Laira was pretty much panting at this point while still trying to look composed while Naruto seemed only mildly winded.
"Shall we call this one a draw then?" said Laira.
Naruto nodded in response and they both disengaged from each other their weapons disappearing. Laira kneeled down putting her hands on her knees as she tried to get her breath back.
"Nice move. I didn't check to see you turning that broken sword into a dagger." commented Naruto.
As soon as she got her breath back Laira stood back up.
"Even a broken construct can be used. Remember that." she instructed wiping the sweat from her brow. "Still you caught me by surprise with your constructs being enhanced like that. Was that your chakra being used?"
"Yeah." said Naruto not giving a full explanation on how it worked.
"It was impressive. As was your performance. Kilowog's report on you was doing you an injustice." said.
"Thank you...sensei." said Naruto bowing. The Lantern did the same.
"You are welcome." said Laira.
"So...what do you plan for me to do for training since I'm transferred to your charge?" he asked . Laira put her finger to her chin in contemplation.
"A good question. We don't usually have recruits so well seasoned as yourself, nor do I remember any recruit who takes the ring as easily as you do. Our spar and your destruction of the practice dummy is proof of that." she explained. "I did notice something however. You have faced those using swords before yes?"
Naruto grimaced at the memory of the last person he fought who used a sword. "Yes. Suffice it to say I have a lot of experience fighting swordsman." he responded.
"Yet you have never wielded a sword yourself?" she asked.
"No I haven't." said Naruto. Laira smiled then at that.
"Good. Then that is where your training will be. Instead of working on reinforcing your willpower we will instead focus on your imagination. I can tell you Naruto that you have a vivid imagination but you have been limited by the weapons of your time. So my job will be to expand your weapon base and the use of each construct that you use. By the time your training is done you will be a fully fledged weapon master." Laira said.
Naruto couldn't help but smile at the prospect of that.
"We will begin you training tomorrow. For now we should head towards the Hall as it is almost that time." she said.
"Just one more thing, sensei. Before we go," said Naruto. Laira turned to him again. "Just out of curiosity have you ever seen anyone besides myself use energy to enhance their constructs?"
"To be honest no I have not. Then again we have not met a species who had anything resembling this chakra network that your kind possess. In short Naruto, you are question that has never been asked. Never mind answered." said Laira.
Naruto soon contemplated the level of impact of what his new sensei had said. And while they flew to the Hall of Great Service Naruto began to think on something that he and Kurama were now wondering.
What else can he do with his chakra enhancing his ring? More importantly what exactly happened when they fused their chakra together?
(Hall of Great Service)
Naruto and Laira had arrived just in time to join the others outside the main door to the Hall of Great Service. When the doors opened they found Salaak there to greet them.
Out of all the aliens Naruto had encountered so far Salaak was by far the strangest one with his odd shaped head and four arms. He could also see that he had an air of authority as he nodded to his fellow lanterns.
"Welcome recruits. I am Salaak. I am known as the Clarissi of the Green Lantern Corps. However, until further notice given certain events I am now also Archivist Superior of the Green Lanter Corps." he looked at Naruto which suggested who was had the duty of Archivist Superior before Salaak. "Would any of you like to ask any questions before we head inside?" he asked. Naruto had a question but it wasn't for Salaak. So he joined the others by shaking his head.
"Follow me then." said Salaak. As they entered the Hall Naruto looked to his new mentor for his question.
"Laira-Sensei if you don't mind me asking what is Clarissi?" he asked.
"It's a rank more or less. The rank he is afforded makes him second in command to the Guardians themselves. In short for missions and such we go to him." said Laira.
'That means that got a lot of authority among the Corps.' Kurama said. Naruto readily agreed with him on that as they went inside.
The Hall itself was probably the largest library Naruto had ever seen in his entire life. It spanned upward like tower. In the center of the library was book the size of a large building in front of them. It was hardbound with green and gold covering and had the symbol of the corps on it.
"What you see before you is the Book of Oa. The most important text in all of the Green Lantern Corps. Contained inside its pages are the laws in which we live by along with it the tales and the exploits of the finest Green Lanterns of all time." said Salaak.
Naruto, Arisia, Galius, and B'dg looked at the book with reverence and awe. With a gesture Salaak had the book open to the first page.
"Contained in this first page are the Ten Laws and Principles that you all will uphold to when you become fully fledged members of the Corps." said Salaak.
As he began reciting the Ten Laws and Principles to the recruits Laira and Kilowog hanged back and watched them from a far.
"So how did you find Naruto?" said Kilowog.
"Your report did not do him justice." said Laira now starting to feel sore from her spar with the young Ajnian.
"Yet you seem in better shape than me when I fought the poozer." said Kilowog.
"If you are implying that I won the spar think again. It came to a draw." said Laira.
"Are you serious!?" exclaimed Kilowog as he never heard of anyone making Laira declare a spar a draw. Normally she defeats her opponents with little effort.
"The one part of your report that was accurate was the fact that he tends to hold back. I know now if I were the enemy there was every chance that I could be dead." she said. Kilowog stood there in shock.
'He's better then Laira?' he thought to himself looking at Naruto as he gave permission for B'dg to be on his shoulder so the little guy could see the book and Salaak better.
"His hand to hand skills are certainly up to par and he has more the adequate willpower and imagination. So I will be focusing on letting his imagination expand to beyond to the weapons he was taught to use on his world." Laira said explaining her lesson plan to her fellow instructor. "Something does trouble me though."
"What's that?" asked Kilowog.
"Before or during your fight with him did you notice anything odd? Like he seemed to be somewhere else?" Laira asked.
"Well during the fight he was knocking my lights out so no I wouldn't recall that." he said sarcastically. He then crossed his arms and though about before that happened. "But now that you mentioned it just before I started the fight, for that's what it was a fight, I noticed he was staring at the flames in camp on the planet we were on. It was like he was somewhere else in his head. And from the way his eyes seemed to have anger in them it was not a pleasant memory." he further explained.
"I see. Something similar happened with me. During our spar when our blades were locked there was a moment that he looked at me with the anger you spoke of. Yet there was also something else." said Laira.
"What was it?" he asked.
"Hatred. I think in that moment he didn't see me but someone else. Someone he hated. Hated with all his being." she said.
The two looked back on the recruits. Specifically Naruto as he and the others looked with rapt attention as Salaak had moved on from the laws and told them how the book recorded all the stories and deeds of Lantern's past.
"You think he might be suffering from some form of PTSD?" asked Kilowog.
" A valid concern given that his world just went through their Fourth Great Ninja War."said Laira.
"Still having a hard time with the fact that this kid, barely sixteen or seventeen, is a war vet." said Kilowog shaking his head.
"Indeed. Still I think it has more to do with a person and not the war itself." said Laira. "Perhaps an early session with Mogo might help him."
"Isn't that usually reserved for full fledged Lanterns after they have suffered a brutal mission?" he questioned.
"Usually. But Mogo has always been the psychiatrist of the Corps. If Naruto is suffering from something mental or emotional as we suspect then it might best to send him to Mogo." Laira explained.
"If he does for the most part he hides it pretty damn well." said Kilowog looking at him interacting and talking with B'dg. "But then again it might explain why Mogo has been hanging around here since he arrived."
"Indeed. But we shall have to table it for now." said Laira as the lesson was about to end.
"Are there any questions?" asked Salaak as Laira and Kilowog approached him and their charges. He then noticed Kilowog and B'dg struggling to hold laughter.
"Excuse me recruits Naruto and B'dg but is there something funny?" he questioned.
Both struggling to keep a straight face they looked back at Salaak. "No sir." B'dg said still on Naruto's shoulder. "It's just...well."
"Spit it out already." ordered Salaak in tone similar to that of a librarian.
"We were just commenting on...well your head sir." said Naruto again struggling to keep from laughing.
"And what is wrong with my head?" he asked with his bottom arms on his hips and his top one's crossed across his chest.
"Nothing sir. It just well it reminded both of us of-"
"A pickle." said B'dg soon laughing his head off on Naruto's shoulder who then found himself laughing no longer able to hold it in.
The laughter soon became infectious and Arisia was trying to still look professional while trying not to giggle. Galius wasn't sure about the joke.
Kilowog on the other hand to their surprise soon had a full belly laugh with Laira just have a full smile on her face.
Salaak just sighed.
'Here we go again.' he thought to himself as he looked at the top of the Hall as if he were looking at the sky. 'Your legacy lives on C'hp.'
(Naruto's room. 1800 Oa Standard Time)
'I still think this a bad idea Kid.' said Kurama as Naruto once again slung the container scroll on his back as he prepared to leave.
They had just returned from the time in the Hall of Great Service. Both Kilowog and Laira decided that it was enough for one day to the relief of Arisia, B'dg and Galius. So while the others headed to the Dining Hall for dinner Naruto found himself not that hungry and told the others he was going to bed early.
Which actually meant that now that he had time to work on ninjutsu training at long last.
'What am I supposed to do Kurama? This is the first time since we arrived on Oa that I have any free time I have to make the most of it.' Naruto responded.
'But what about dinner then? You need to eat to keep up your strength.' said Kurama.
'You just want more of that prime rib.' Naruto responded exiting the door and walking out of the complex.
'C'mon Kid you have to admit it was delicious.' said the tailed beast. Naruto could hear his companion's mouth watering at the thought of that steak. In truth, Naruto couldn't blame him.
'I'll ask the chef for some leftovers before he closes down the Dining Hall. I'm sure he keeps late hours.' said Naruto as the flew off. From there he tried to find a place on the planet where he could train without being disturbed.
It wasn't like on Ajnin where there was specific training area he could go. At least one for training in as a ninja from his home world. Still there had to be one place on Oa that was deserted.
'Okay Kid. Say we do find one place on this big city of a planet where you can train. What then? Even if you do the Guardians more than likely track all their Lanterns and recruits through the rings. If you wish to keep the majority of your abilities a secret then you gonna have to do something about that.' Kurama explained.
Naruto stopped flying and just hovered over the large city complex. The fox was right. The Guardians would be sure to find out about it. For the most part they left their Lanterns to their own devices but on Oa things were monitored a little too close for his liking.
'I don't know!' he cried in frustration. 'All I know is that I have to train on these new wind jutsu and start on my fujnjutsu training Not to mention find out what will happen if we use Nine-Tailied Chakra Mode or Tailed Beast Mode with the ring on. And to top it off I still don't know what my second element is yet. All this with my ring training is making my head spin!' he exclaimed rubbing his head in frustration to which Kurama sympathized with.
'Perhaps I can be of some help.' said a large booming but at the same time soothing force in his head. Naruto looked around to see who spoke in his mind and found no one.
"Kurama that wasn't you was it?" Naruto said out loud.
'No Kid it definitely was not me!' said Kurama panicking. Until now he had been able to block anyone from getting inside Naruto's head. Although he hadn't had the chance he was confident he could keep most telepathic aliens from getting into his mind. Even the Guardians themselves if they tried. Although Naruto thought that was more of a pride thing.
This new voice in his head had Naruto start to doubt him a bit.
'Don't be too hard on your friend. My abilities surpass even the Guardians themselves though I don't think they know it.'said the mysterious voice with humor.
"Who are you!?" said Naruto getting his ring and himself ready to fight.
'Do not be frightened young recruit. I apologize for my abruptness. I mean neither you nor your friend any harm.'said the voice. This calmed Naruto and Kurama but they were both still wary.
'Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mogo. Green Lantern of Sector 2261.'said the voice now known as Mogo.
Naruto was starting to relax a little after hearing that but he was still suspicious. Kurama was the same.
"If you're a Green Lantern why don't you come out of hiding then so we can speak face to face?" Naruto demanded.
'I am not hiding young one. In fact you, Ganthet, and Hal Jordan passed by me when you first arrived on Oa.'said Mogo.
Naruto then thought about what Mogo was saying when he said he flew by him. That couldn't be right.
The only thing that he passed by was...
Naruto then looked up to the large moon with the Green Lantern symbol on it.
"Okay so you're some big shot Lantern who just happens to live on Oa's moon." said Naruto.
He soon heard Mogo laugh as if there was something that he was missing. A hidden joke as it were.
"What's so funny!?" Naruto yelled at the planet above him.
'Naruto Mogo isn't on the planet. He isthe planet.' said Kurama in an tone that Naruto could mistake as awe.
Naruto himself looked at the moon above and could not believe what his friend was saying.
'You can't be serious Kurama. That is not possible.' Naruto said to Kurama in his mind.
'Young man.'said Mogo hearing what Naruto said. 'Until just a few days ago you did not even know of the Green Lantern Corps never mind anything revolving around the universe at large. Now after everything you have seen in these last few days can you truly believe that there is no such thing as a living planet?'
Naruto soon lower his ring hand and looked at Mogo dejectedly.
'Guy's got a point...if you can call a planet a guy anyway.' said Kurama.
"Alright I'm sorry...Mogo. It's just I got a lot on my plate right now." said Naruto.
'I know hence why I have now decided to communicate with you.' said Mogo going to the matter at hand. 'However it would be best if we continued this if you were to simply fly and land on me. Unless you are not concerned with just hovering and waiting for another Lantern to take notice?'
Naruto nodded and flew towards Mogo. Thanks to his travels from planet to planet with Kilowog he was a little more comfortable traveling in space. It also helped that Mogo was so close to Oa's orbit that it may as well been the planet's moon.
Soon he was hovering above the planet still not sure if everything he had been told was true. He wondered wither or not this Mogo could be trusted or not.
'Land Naruto. Again you have nothing to fear from me.' Mogo reassured.
Naruto, being who he is, decided to do as the planet, if that was who was talking, asked. He then flew down to Mogo's surface.
As he looked down on Mogo's surface he couldn't help but look upon it. Unlike Oa, which seemed like the whole planet was a technological marvel, Mogo was filled with nothing but lush forests as far as the eye could see. Plant life as far as the eye could see covered the planet.
'This is paradise.' Naruto thought to himself as he landed in clearing in a forest. One of the many that was on Mogo.
"Okay I'm here. Now what?" Naruto said to the sky of Mogo while taking off the sealing scroll from his back and putting it on the ground.
'As I said young one I am offering you a place to train in your art as well as private training for your ring if you wish. As long as you are on my surface the Guardians cannot track you or whatever you wish to do.' said the living planet.
'That's generous and all but the Kid and I can tend to blow stuff up when we train. I can safely say we do not wish you any harm.' said Kurama which Naruto nodded to.
'I assure you both that I am well versed in taking punishment on a planetary scale. Suffice it to say I am a fast healer thanks to my ring.'said Mogo.
Naruto wasn't sure how to take that. But then again this guy was in fact a planet. A fact that Naruto was still having trouble wrapping his head around.
'But before you begin your training my help comes with a price.' said Mogo.
"Of course. There's always a catch." said Naruto already getting ready to leave as soon as he heard that.
'I admit that there is an alternative reason why I asked for you to come here. Both Laira and Kilowog have informed me that you may be suffering from an event that happened back on your home world. And I can see that they are correct.' said Mogo.
"What you can read my mind too?" questioned Naruto. "Well if my teachers think I'm suffering from PTSD they are wrong!"
'No it is not that from which you suffer. At least not the kind that comes from war.' Mogo said partially agreeing with the young recruit. 'No what you suffer from is a memory. Something traumatic that happened after words.'
Naruto's mind immediately flashed back to when he was holding a dead Sakura in his arms before clinching his eyes shut to try an block it out and to keep tears from falling.
"So what...you're the Corps psychiatrist?" asked Naruto.
'In a manner of speaking yes. Lanterns often come to me and I help them deal with the dual lives that they live with while in the Corps.' Mogo responded.
"Well I appreciate the offer Mogo but I don't need a shrink. I'll find somewhere else somehow." said Naruto already picking up his scroll.
"I think you should stay." said a familar feminine voice not too far from Naruto. He stood still after that looking around.
'I'm hearing things.' Naruto thought to himself shaking his head.
"No you're not Naruto." said the same familiar voice again as if she was reading his mind. Naruto again shook his head that was impossible.
But then he heard footsteps and rustling of the forest as he heard someone approach him from behind. Then the rustling stopped and he heard the person behind him. He drew a kunai construct and turned to face the person behind the voice.
What he saw made him drop the kunai and it disappeared instantly.
"Hello Naruto." said the girl. Naruto stared with his mouth open and eyes wide in astonishment.
"Sakura?" Naruto said looking up and down at this person who looked like her.
"Yep." she said with a sad smile on her face. She then walked until they were only a few feet apart. "Its me."
Naruto then paced around her looking at her. She looked exactly the same as she had before she died. Pink hair, piecing green eyes, a larger then normal forehead, even her clothes were the same as the day they were when they first met again after he left for two in a half years except she didn't have her gloves on.
Suddenly he stopped pacing and frowned.
"Okay Mogo this an impressive construct but I'm not buying it!" said Naruto angrily looking at Sakura again before turning to leave. "You can't trick me that easily."
As he turned he suddenly got a familiar feeling in his gut. Luckily this time he decided to duck under as Sakura's fist missed him and knocked the tree behind him down shattering it in half.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here Naruto!" said Sakura with her right hand clinched into a fist staring down at a bewildered Naruto.
From his part Naruto could see the familiar anger that Sakura always had but at the same time he could see hurt in her eyes.
"Sakura? Is that actually you!?" said Naruto as he got up and stared at her once again.
"Yes Naruto its me! And I am not a construct as you see from the fact that I am not covered in green!" yelled Sakura. She then took a deep breath to calm herself
'Well she certainly seems like her. Temper and all.' said Kurama.
"But...how? You-You're dead." said Naruto.
"Yeah...I was hoping you wouldn't notice that." said Sakura almost shyly. "Don't ask me how this works but somehow I think that this place, this being, can somehow make people see the people they have lost. Again don't ask me how he's doing he just is." said Sakura.
"So what? You're here yet you're not?" said Naruto.
"Pretty much." said Sakura.
"So then what are you if you're not a construct? Some ghost Mogo sent to torment me?" said Naruto almost in tears.
"Not torture. I think Mogo set this up so we could talk." she said.
"Again why!?" he yelled.
"I think we both know why Naruto." she said. "To help you." Sakura then walked around him looking him over as he did her a moment ago.
"What are you staring at?" Naruto asked as Sakura had an odd smile on her face.
"Nothing. Just that you happen to look handsome in that uniform. Fills out in all the right places." she said.
Naruto was face was beet red when she said that, which made it seem all the more impossible as she never once said anything like that to him since he had known her, nor did she ever speak to him in a tone that sounded like she was flirting with him.
Naruto shook his head as he tried to control his blush.
"I know what you're thinking right now Naruto." said Sakrua getting his attention back "Your thinking how can I be saying these things? I never have before. Well Naruto I can tell you now dying can really change how you see things...or even before said event." she continued sadly.
"You mean when you went after Sasuke alone?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah...which is part of why I'm here now I think." said Sakura. "You still think about it don't you. Me dying and your fight with Sasuke. You still carry some of the anger from that day."
Naruto looked down and nodded.
"Thought so." said Sakura.
"I don't regret it...killing Sasuke I mean. I thought I would given how it went down in the end but I don't." said Naruto then looked down again in shame. How could he say that to the girl who loved Sasuke more than anything.
"Good." said Sakura.
"What!?" said Naruto surprised at Sakura's cold tone when she said that.
"I said good. What, did you expect me to feel sorry for him?" said Sakura.
"But..." said Naruto.
"Naruto...my feelings for Sasuke ended the day he decided to leave us again after the battles with Obito and Madara. When he tried to use the tailed beasts just as he did. He became obsessed with his clan and how they were dying off, thanks in large part to you by the way. He couldn't stand that. My feelings were the remains of someone who hadn't grown up and didn't see what Sasuke had become. The Sasuke that I thought we knew died years ago and it took that moment to realize that at long last. So don't you dare feel sorry for him." she said with so much conviction that Naruto could not help but believe her.
"But that isn't why I'm angry." he said.
"Then what is then? I know the answer Naruto. The question is: do you?" asked Sakura.
Naruto thought about it for a long time. Thought about that moment from the time when he held Sakura as she bled out from the stab wound that Sasuke landed on her. He then started to cry.
"I failed you Sakura." he said kneeling down in front of her. "I couldn't save him for you. I couldn't save you from him either. I tried. With everything I tried. I thought with the war over everything would turn out all right. Even if..."
"Even if you couldn't have me." said Sakura.
"Exactly! I thought with ending Obito's plan and us sealing Kaguya that it would all fall into place. Like a naive child." said Naruto. "Why did you go after Sasuke alone!? Why didn't you wait for me!?" he said with tears flowing from his eyes. "Just...why?"
Sakura walked over to him and kneeled down to look at him in the eye. "Because I wanted to make up for what I put you through. That stupid promise that I made you make to me. And I didn't want to force you into anything anymore." said Sakura.
"I made that promise to you of my own free will." said Naruto. I knew what it entailed. I just wanted you to be happy. And Sasuke-"
"Sasuke didn't make me happy. He never did I see that now." said Sakura. She then placed both of her hands on his cheeks and forced him to look at her.
"Naruto. Think back. To the moment you held me dying in your arms. You blocked out what I said but I know you heard it. Think back." she asked gently.
Naruto closed his eyes clinching them hard as he remembered that point of that day.
(Flashback)
Naruto had managed to catch Sakura. Seeing the wound inflicted on her he cursed himself with having never learned even basic medical jutsu. All he could do was just hold her as the wound bled out.
Naruto saw himself telling her to hold on. Suddenly Sakura put her right hand over his cheek urging him closer to her face. Inches apart he heard her whisper to him with he last dying breath.
"It...should have been...you." she said. Her eyes darkened as her last breath passed.
(End Flashback)
Naruto looked at her shocked at what he just remembered. Soon more tears began to flow.
"Why now Sakura? Why show me this now when I know you're gone?" Naruto asked.
"Because I wanted to let you know how I feel. Truly Naruto, it should have been you. You were always there for me when I needed it. I just didn't realize it until it was too late." said Sakura sadly. She then move her left hand off his cheek and placed it on the white circle on his chest.
"You're on a new path now Naruto. One that is beyond anything any of our people have ever been on before. But in order to move forward you had to face your past. That's what Mogo is doing." said Sakura. "You have to let me go."
"I-I don't want to even if I could…how could I?." said Naruto.
"Naruto there is so much for you now. To see and to do. Your story must continue." said Sakura. "I'm not asking you to forget me cause despite everything I have done to you, to your heart, you wouldn't. I'm only asking that you move on from me." she said looking at him straight in the eye. "Besides you deserve better."
Naruto tried to protest but Sakura just grabbed his hands. "Naruto how long have you let me hit or punch you or just beat you?" she asked suddenly. Naruto, even with tears rolling on his face, looked sheepishly.
"Since before I returned to Konoha after being away for two in half years." said Naruto.
"That's what I thought. And believe it or not I can count on one hand how many times you actually deserved it. One thing I can say about dying...it can open one's eyes." said Sakura. Naruto could tell that Sakura was close to tears. He always hated to see her cry.
Sakura took a deep breath. "Naruto...I'm not going to make you say another promise to me cause I think the last one scarred you enough for one lifetime. I only hope that in this new life you have chosen for yourself I want you to be happy. To do things for yourself for once. But I also know that you will adhere to your duties as this Green Lantern...Kami I'm dead and I'm having trouble processing all this." she said with a tone like she couldn't understand any of this happening.
"Don't ever cut yourself off from the friends that you will make and those you still have on our home world. Kami knows you can learn a lot from that lazy ass Shikamaru. But most of all...find someone else. A woman who can do what I didn't from the start. Someone you can share your heart with and not get it torn apart like I did."
"You didn't Sakura." Naruto said trying to interject.
"That's sweet Naruto but I think deep down you know that isn't true. In any case I know that when you find someone she will be the luckiest girl ever when she gets you." said Sakura. For a few moments they just stared at each other their hands clasped together.
"You have to go don't you?" he asked. Though grateful for this chance to talk with the girl he fell in love with for the last time part of him still didn't want her to leave.
"I do." said Sakura.
"I don't want you to." said Naruto. "I wish you could stay."
"No you don't. Not anymore." said Sakura. "You'll still remember me?"
"Always." said Naruto with a nod. Sakura nodded back and parted her hands from his. She then grabbed his cheeks, leaned in and to Naruto's surprise gently kissed him on the lips. He stood stunned for a moment before closing his eyes and joined in the kiss wrapping his arms around her waist. It only lasted a moment before they parted.
"Thank you." said Naruto.
"We're even now. I got your first kiss." said Sakura jokingly as she stood up. "Not I believe you have some work to do." said walking away backwards. "Goodbye Naruto." From there Sakura disappeared in a shower of green sparkle dust similar to what happened after he met his mother in his mind.
Naruto closed his eyes just like then as the sparkle dust flowed past him.
"Goodbye Sakura." said Naruto.
He just sat there for the next few minutes taking deep breaths and wiping his tears.
'Kid you okay?' asked Kurama speaking for the first time as he kept silent letting Naruto have this moment with Sakura. If that was her at all or not neither of them could say. But reality called back.
'I am. For once actually I mean that. Thanks Kurama.' Naruto responded. He then looked up to the sky.
"I'm assuming that I fulfilled my part. Me being on your "chair" as it were Mogo?" asked Naruto.
'You have Naruto Uzumaki. Though the memory of your trauma will remain you have made the first step on you path away from it. The rest is up to you.' said Mogo
"So that means I can use you as a training ground then?" Naruto asked.
'Yes. I will be in orbit for some time on Oa unless my sector calls to me. But it is late now. I suggest you return to Oa to rest. You may return after you are done but preferably after you have eaten. Agreed?' Mogo asked.
"Agreed...it's been a tiring day." said Naruto. Grabbing his scroll he then flew off Mogo and headed back. Tomorrow would be a new day.
(End Chapter)
Not entirely happy with this chapter. But then I never seem to be. I blame exhaustion this shoddy work.
One thing I must say now is that yes I am a NaruSaku shipper. However, I am not going to stand here and ignore that Sakura has done a lot wrong by our boy Naruto over the years. So for the sake of this story I had to do something to get him to move on as it were. She was still the girl Naruto first fell in love with. I had to honor that in some way. Its up to you wither or not I did that or not.
Rest assured I will finish his arc with the Green Lanterns and heading into YJ before the year ends I promise you all that. But this year seems to be my year of losing friends.
As I said before in April I suffered a loss of a friend. Now in September I lose another this time to cancer. So between that and real life known as work I have been to exhausted to do much of anything except sit on my butt. However, I hope to get out of this prologue stage that I have made in my story and get to the meat of it soon.
Thank you all for you continued support. Truly, and I know this gets thrown around a lot, but I am humbled that so many of you like this story. Especially given that it is my first. See you next chapter.